Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
"Food."
"I can cook for you," I offer.
"Ready to get me back home, Mrs. Lockheart?" Blake never misses a moment to remind me that I'm his wife. It used to annoy me, but now I'm loving it. He gives me a wicked smile, taking me back to this morning when I caught him in the shower.
"Have you always been so—" I glance at the driver and stop short. Blake nods in agreement, not wanting to speak of sex in front of anyone.
"We'll be alone at dinner."
"We're already an old married couple going to dinner at five," I tease, but we had a later breakfast.
"Then I'll get to have the evening at home with you to do whatever we like."
"More reality shows?"
Now I wiggle my brows at him, making him chuckle. "I do want to know if Mindy is going to finally leave Jax. How she tolerated him I'll never understand."
I snort a laugh. "Probably feels stuck; he's got all the money."
"We could write her a check," Blake offers to make me laugh harder.
"We’d send off a check to a random reality star?" He's got to be joking.
"Bet it would make the show more entertaining if she had money to throw in his face."
"You're being serious?!"
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you happy, wife. Even if it means contributing to your reality TV addiction.”
“Can we put it toward the debt I owe you?” I tease, but I can see it lands wrong, killing the mood instantly. “Crap, I—”
“We’re here,” Blake says. I stay put as he gets out, coming around and opening the door for me. He told the driver he’d be the one to handle my door. I glance up at the building in front of us. I've been out of the city for so long I'm not sure about new restaurants or if others have moved.
Blake puts his hand on my back, leading me inside. “Afternoon,” the elevator attendant says as we step on. I’m getting the sense this place is fancy.
“Are we dressed for this?” I ask Blake.
“You’re breathtaking as always.” He’s said nothing but sweet things to me all day. It’s interesting to watch his demeanor switch into different roles. There is one that appears to be for me alone.
"Thank you, but you know what I mean."
"We're fine."
The elevator ride is thankfully short, only going up a few floors. When we step off, I'm transported to another world.
"Did we go down the rabbit hole?" I ask with a laugh. The whole room, even the ceiling, is covered in flowers and vines, and the smell is sweet. It's clear from the clocks placed around the room and the black and white flooring that we've entered Alice's Wonderland. It’s breathtaking. I’m at a loss for words.
It was one of my favorite books when I was younger. When I'd read it, I had to be in the garden, or it wasn't the same. I insisted on it. It annoyed the hell out of my mom but not Blake.
"You like?"
I turn slightly to face him and see that he wants me to. That he'd planned this all out for me, and I don't think Blake is ever trying to impress anyone, but he is me.
"I love it."
"Come." He leads me farther in. There is a round table in the center of the room set with food and drinks already on it. Blake pulls out my chair for me. "I had them set everything up beforehand so that we wouldn't be bothered."
"Blake." Emotion wells up in my chest. "I can't—" I struggle to find the words. He gently takes my chin, turning my face toward him.
"I want to prove to you that I do care. That I didn't forget you. You've never been an afterthought to me." Tears slide down my cheeks. "Honey, please don't cry." A pained expression takes over his handsome face, and he swipes at my tears.
"I'm really happy, that's all." I had felt so forgotten and alone. It wears on you after a while, thinking there’s nobody out there who cares enough to visit or even call.
"I'm going to ensure that you never feel forgotten again.”
I sniffle. "Well, you're doing a really freaking good job." I lean in and press my mouth to his. I'm not going to fight this. All my life I've wanted this man, and I'm finding out he's felt the same. Our parents manipulated us to get what they wanted, but that stops now. We deserve a future after they took years from us.
The kiss quickly deepens, and I moan into Blake's mouth, his fingers tangling into my hair.
"Wife," he breathes out in a warning, and I love the neediness I hear in it. "I want you to enjoy your tea party. Not destroy it by me bending you over onto this table."
"That sounds—" I lick my lips. "Nice."